Ring-reflector hydrogen generation system

ABSTRACT

A hydrogen generation system comprises a signal generation system configured to generate a driver signal, wherein the driver signal is a pulsed DC signal; a signal processing system configured to process the driver signal and generate a chamber excitation signal; and a hydrogen generation chamber configured to receive the chamber excitation signal and generate hydrogen from a feedstock contained within the hydrogen generation chamber. The hydrogen generation chamber comprises at least one ring reflector configured to contain the feedstock and at least one emitter positioned within the at least one ring reflector. The signal processing system comprises a controllable reactive circuit comprising a positive reactive circuit coupled to the ring reflector of the hydrogen generation chamber, a negative reactive circuit coupled to the emitter of the hydrogen generation chamber and a feedback circuit that is configured to couple the emitter of the hydrogen generation chamber to the ring reflector of the hydrogen generation chamber.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/851,853 filed Dec. 22, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/852,695 filed Sep. 14, 2015, which is continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/616,851 filed Feb. 9, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/091,702 filed Dec. 15, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of hydrogen generation systems, and more particularly, to a hydrogen generation system with a ring-reflector Hydrogen Production Unit (“HPU”) to generate hydrogen from feedstock, and associated methods.

BACKGROUND

Currently, the majority of the energy consumed by the developed world has its origins in fossil fuels. Unfortunately, there are many well-documented problems associated with over-reliance upon energy generated from fossil fuels. These problems include pollution and climate change caused by the emission of greenhouse gases, the finite nature of fossil fuels and the dwindling reserves of such carbon-based energy sources and the concentration of control of petroleum-based energy supplies by various volatile countries and OPEC.

Accordingly, there is a need for alternative sources of energy. One such alternative energy source includes hydrogen generation systems that produce hydrogen via hydrolysis.

Hydrogen, when greater than 99% pure, may be used in generator cooling, steel production, glass production, and semiconductor and photovoltaic cell production. When less than 99% pure, hydrogen may be used in various industries, such as the aerospace industry, the animal feed industry, the automotive industry, the baking industry, the chemical industry, the ethanol industry, the food processing industry, the dairy industry, the meat industry, the manufacturing industry, the medical industry, the hospitality industry, the laundry/uniform industry, the marine and offshore industry, the military and defense industry, the mining industry, the oil and gas industry, the paper/corrugating industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the rubber industry, the steel and metals industry, the tobacco industry, the transportation industry, the wire and cable industry and the education industry.

Unfortunately, there are a number of significant hurdles that prevent the widespread use of hydrogen in commercial, industrial, and residential applications. These hurdles include cost, efficiency, and safety. First and foremost, creating hydrogen gas in a traditional manner is inefficient and costly, or even environmentally harmful when produced via reformation (i.e., the primary commercial method). Secondly, hydrogen's very low mass and energy density makes it challenging to get enough mass of hydrogen gas safely in one place to be of practical value to a user. The result is that hydrogen has been prohibitively expensive to produce, compress, cryogenically cool, maintain (at pressure and temperature), contain (due to its very small molecule structure) and transport. Accordingly, pressure, temperature, flammability, explosiveness and low ignition energy requirement are all significant safety issues concerning the widespread use of hydrogen.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a hydrogen generation system comprising a signal generation system configured to generate a driver signal, wherein the driver signal is a pulsed DC signal; a signal processing system configured to process the driver signal and generate a chamber excitation signal; and a hydrogen generation chamber configured to receive the chamber excitation signal and generate hydrogen from a feedstock contained within the hydrogen generation chamber, wherein the hydrogen generation chamber comprises at least one ring reflector configured to contain the feedstock, and at least one emitter positioned within the at least one ring reflector; wherein the signal processing system comprises: a controllable reactive circuit comprising a positive reactive circuit coupled to the ring reflector of the hydrogen generation chamber, a negative reactive circuit coupled to the emitter of the hydrogen generation chamber, and a feedback circuit that is configured to couple the emitter of the hydrogen generation chamber to the ring reflector of the hydrogen generation chamber.

In another embodiment of the hydrogen generation, the signal generation system includes a pulsed DC source configured to generate a pulsed DC source signal, a mono-directional blocking circuit configured to receive the pulsed DC source signal and generate the driver signal, and a filter circuit configured to filter the driver signal and remove AC components.

In another embodiment of the hydrogen generation system, the positive reactive circuit includes an inductive component and a capacitive component.

In another embodiment of the hydrogen generation system, the inductive component is in parallel with the capacitive component.

In another embodiment of the hydrogen generation system, the negative reactive circuit includes an inductive component and a capacitive component.

In another embodiment of the hydrogen generation system, the inductive component is in parallel with the capacitive component.

In another embodiment of the hydrogen generation system, the feedback circuit includes a capacitive component.

In another embodiment of the hydrogen generation system, the capacitive component includes two discrete capacitors.

In another embodiment of the hydrogen generation system, a first of the discrete capacitors is coupled to the ring reflector of the hydrogen generation chamber.

In another embodiment of the hydrogen generation system, a second of the discrete capacitors is coupled to the emitter of the hydrogen generation chamber.

In another embodiment of the hydrogen generation system, the feedback circuit includes an asymmetrically conductive component.

In another embodiment of the hydrogen generation system, the asymmetrically conductive component is positioned between the two discrete capacitors.

In another embodiment of the hydrogen generation system, the at least one ring reflector comprises graphite.

In another embodiment of the hydrogen generation system, the at least one ring reflector surrounds a plurality of emitters.

In another embodiment of the hydrogen generation system, the at least one ring reflector is coupled to the positive reactive circuit.

In another embodiment of the hydrogen generation system, the positive reactive circuit is configured as a band-stop filter.

In another embodiment of the hydrogen generation system, the negative reactive circuit is configured as a band-stop filter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a hydrogen generation system in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a signal generation system included within the hydrogen generation system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a positive reactive circuit included within the hydrogen generation system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a negative reactive circuit included within the hydrogen generation system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a feedback circuit included within the hydrogen generation system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a hydrogen generation chamber included within the hydrogen generation system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a hydrogen generation system with a controllable reactive circuit in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating damped sine waves generated as a negative latch between pulses of the pulsed drive signal in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating one of the embedded interactive chamber signals included within the damped sine waves illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a more detailed diagrammatic view of the signal processing system with the controllable reactive circuit in accordance with the disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the hydrogen generation system with a controllable reactive circuit as illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a computer-generated elevational view of an assembled embodiment of the 5-emitter HPU.

FIG. 13 is a computer-generated top view of an assembled embodiment of the 5-emitter HPU. The clamp, top and bottom plates are semi-transparent due to the choice of material (PVC) they are made from.

FIG. 14 is a computer-generated side view of an embodiment of the 5-emitter HPU made with semi-transparent clamp, top and bottom plates. The HPU is oriented so that the observer is looking down the inlet and outlet fittings and into the cavity.

FIG. 15 is a computer-generated exploded edge-on version of the HPU of FIG. 12. emitter HPU.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments should not be construed as limited to those illustrated and described herein as other forms are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and convey the scope to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notations are used to indicate alternate embodiments.

Hydrogen Generation System Overview

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown hydrogen generation system 100. Hydrogen generation system 100 may include signal generation system 102 configured to generate a driver signal 104. An example driver signal 104 may include but not limited to a pulsed DC signal. Driver signal 104 may be provided to signal processing system 106. The signal processing system 106 may be configured to process driver signal 104 and generate a chamber excitation signal 108.

Hydrogen generation system 100 may include hydrogen generation chamber 110 configured to receive chamber excitation signal 108 and generate hydrogen 112 (e.g., gaseous hydrogen) from feedstock 114 contained within hydrogen generation chamber 110.

As discussed above, hydrogen 112 from hydrogen generation system 100 may be used with various industries, such as the aerospace industry, the animal feed industry, the automotive industry, the baking industry, the chemical industry, the dairy industry, the food processing industry, the ethanol industry, the meat industry, the manufacturing industry, the medical industry, the hospitality industry, the laundry/uniform industry, the marine/offshore industry, the military, the mining industry, the oil/gas industry, the paper/corrugating industry, the pharmaceutical industry, the rubber industry, the steel & metals industry, the tobacco industry, the transportation industry, the wire & cable industry and the education industry.

As discussed above, hydrogen generation system 100 may generate hydrogen 112 (e.g., gaseous hydrogen) from feedstock 114 contained within hydrogen generation chamber 110. One example of feedstock 114 may include but is not limited to sea water. Accordingly, and in certain implementations, hydrogen generation system 100 may be positioned proximate a source of feedstock 114. Alternatively, feedstock 114 may be provided to hydrogen generation system 100 via a delivery network, not shown.

Hydrogen generation chamber 110, when filled with an electrolytic fluid (e.g., feedstock 114), may react like a variable capacitive load with corresponding variable impedance values. When a Pulsed DC signal (e.g., chamber excitation signal 108) is applied to hydrogen generation chamber 110, the result may be a reactive load. Hydrogen generation chamber 110 may complete the closed circuit path that forms the load factor during the ON Cycle Pulse (OCP) of chamber excitation signal 108.

The electrolytic fluid (e.g., feedstock 114) may change state both chemically and electronically during the OCP of chamber excitation signal 108. These changes may affect the charge state of feedstock 114, changing the above-described capacitive and impedance values, which may be monitored via a differential potential voltage measurement across the anode (also known as a “reflector”) and cathode (also known as an “emitter” or “antennae”) of hydrogen generation chamber 110.

Signal processing system 106 may provide impedance matching and capacitive balancing during the OCP of chamber excitation signal 108. Balancing of signal processing system 106 may accomplish multiple functions, including but not limited to lowering reactive circuit current demand while directing chamber excitation signal 108 with a given base frequency across the electrodes of hydrogen generation chamber 110.

During the OFF Cycle Pulse (OFCP) of chamber excitation signal 108, the inductive and capacitive sections of signal processing system 106 may receive energy from hydrogen generation chamber 110 as hydrogen generation chamber 110 discharges.

Signal Generation System Configuration

An implementation of signal generation system 102 is illustrated in FIG. 2. Signal generation system 102 may include pulsed DC source 200 for generating pulsed DC source signal 202. System 102 may include mono-directional blocking circuit 204 for receive pulsed DC source signal 202 and generate driver signal 104. Signal generation system 102 may also include filter circuit 206 for filtering driver signal 104 and removing AC components.

Mono-directional blocking circuit 204 may include at least one asymmetrically conductive component, an example of which includes but is not limited to a diode (e.g., a Schottky diode), such as a 1N4003G diode available from ON Semiconductor configured to function as blocking diodes. In a typical configuration, mono-directional blocking circuit 204 may include two asymmetrically conductive components 208, 210. Filter circuit 206 may include capacitor 212 coupled to ground (or floating ground) 214 that is sized to remove any undesirable AC signal components. An example of capacitor 212 may include a 470 microfarad capacitor available from Mouser Electronics.

One implementation of driver signal 104 generated by signal generation system 102 may be a driver signal that has a duty cycle of less than 25%. Specifically and in a preferred embodiment, driver signal 104 may have a duty cycle between 0.5% and 6.0%. The above-described implementations of driver signal 104 are intended to be illustrative and not all inclusive. Accordingly, these are intended to be merely examples of the various driver signals that be utilized by signal generation system 102.

Operation of the Signal Generation System

The rise time of the driver signal 104 generated by signal generation system 102 must be rapid for the overall function and performance of hydrogen generation chamber 110. Thus, a rise time as close to instantaneous as possible (e.g., as close to a truly vertical sweep) may result in the most efficient operation of hydrogen generation chamber 110. The amplitude of driver signal 104 may be increased/decreased to vary the performance of hydrogen generation chamber 110 and the quantity of hydrogen 112 produced.

Signal generation system 102 may be configured to provide for adjustments in the pulse width and/or duty cycle of driver signal 104. Adjustments to pulse width and/or duty cycle may be based on desired chamber performance. The timing of the duty cycle of driver signal 104 may establish a base frequency for the driver signal. The pulse base frequency of driver signal may range from 100 hertz to 15.5 kilohertz (other frequencies range may also be utilized).

The diodes (e.g., asymmetrically conductive components 208, 210) utilized in mono-directional blocking circuit 204 may perform several functions. Typically, Schottky diodes have forward biases of approximately 1 mA in the range 0.15 to 0.46 volts. This lower forward voltage may provide for higher switching speeds and better system efficiency, wherein Schottky diodes are considered to have essentially instant reverse recovery time.

The two diodes (e.g., asymmetrically conductive components 208, 210) may provide a first stage voltage clamp that may enhance rise time and forward current build up, which may be important during each startup of the OCP. The blocking diodes (e.g., asymmetrically conductive components 208, 210) may provide transient voltage suppression during initial charging of hydrogen generation chamber 110. This may allow hydrogen generation chamber 110 to reach full voltage amplitude in the least amount time.

The two diodes (e.g., asymmetrically conductive components 208, 210) may also prevent voltage returned from hydrogen generation chamber 110 from interfering with pulsed DC source signal 202, thus isolating the downstream circuit (e.g., signal processing system 106) during the off cycle while the reactive part of this circuit is in the recovery phase and exposed to a return voltage in the range of 0.90 VDC to 4.5 VDC or higher.

Positive Reactive Circuit Configuration

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown one implementation of signal processing system 106, wherein signal processing system 106 is shown to include positive reactive circuit 300. Positive reactive circuit 300 may be coupled to anode 302 of hydrogen generation chamber 110.

In one implementation, positive reactive circuit 300 may include inductive component 304 and capacitive component 306. One example of inductive component 304 may include a 10 microhenry inductor available from Mouser Electronics. Inductive component 304 may be in parallel with capacitive component 306. Capacitive component 306 may be sized based, at least in part, upon one or more physical characteristics of hydrogen generation chamber 110 (e.g., size, shape, electrode type, configuration and dimensions) and/or one or more physical characteristics of feedstock 114 (e.g., feedstock type and contents included therein) contained within hydrogen generation chamber 110.

Inductive component 304 may be constructed of/formed from several individual inductors that may be arranged (in a parallel and/or series configuration) to achieve the desired inductance value. Additionally (and as will be discussed below), capacitive component 306 may be constructed of/formed from several individual capacitors that are arranged (in a parallel and/or series configuration) to achieve the desired capacitive value.

In one implementation, capacitive component 306 may include a plurality of discrete capacitors. For example, capacitive component 306 may include three discrete capacitors (e.g., capacitors 308, 310, 312) arranged in parallel to form a parallel capacitor circuit. In one particular implementation, capacitor 308 may be a 45 microfarad capacitor available from Mouser Electronics, capacitor 310 may be a 1 picofarad capacitor available from Mouser Electronics, and capacitor 312 may be a 5 nanofarads capacitor available from Mouser Electronics. This parallel capacitor circuit (e.g., the parallel combination of capacitors 308, 310, 312) may be coupled in parallel with inductive component 304, wherein the output of the parallel capacitor circuit (e.g., the parallel combination of capacitors 308, 310, 312) and inductive component 304 may be provided to anode 302 of hydrogen generation chamber 110.

In this particular implementation, positive reactive circuit 300 may be configured as a band-stop filter. As is known in the art and in signal processing, a band-stop filter (or band-rejection filter) is a filter that passes most frequencies unaltered (i.e., unattenuated), while attenuating those frequencies that are within a defined range. As with any other LC filter, the particular range of frequencies that are attenuated may be defined based upon the value of the capacitors (e.g., capacitors 308, 310, 312) and inductors (e.g., inductive component 304) included within positive reactive circuit 300.

Negative Reactive Circuit Configuration

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown one implementation of signal processing system 106, wherein signal processing system 106 is shown to include negative reactive circuit 400. Negative reactive circuit 400 may be coupled to cathode 402 of hydrogen generation chamber 110.

In one implementation, negative reactive circuit 400 may include inductive component 404 and capacitive component 406. One example of inductive component 404 may include a 100 microhenry inductor available from Mouser Electronics. Inductive component 404 may be in parallel with capacitive component 406. Capacitive component 406 may be sized based, at least in part, upon one or more physical characteristics of hydrogen generation chamber 110 (e.g., size, shape, electrode type, configuration and dimensions) and/or one or more physical characteristics of feedstock 114 (e.g., feedstock type and contents included therein) contained within hydrogen generation chamber 110.

Inductive component 404 may be constructed of/formed from several individual inductors that may be arranged (in a parallel and/or series configuration) to achieve the desired inductance value. Additionally (as discussed below), capacitive component 406 may be constructed of/formed from several individual capacitors that are arranged (in a parallel and/or series configuration) to achieve the desired capacitive value.

In one implementation, capacitive component 406 may include a plurality of discrete capacitors. Capacitive component 406 may include three discrete capacitors (e.g., 408, 410, 412) arranged in parallel to form a parallel capacitor circuit. In a particular implementation, capacitor 408 may be a 1 microfarad capacitor available from Mouser Electronics, capacitor 410 may be a 1 picofarad capacitor (from Mouser) and capacitor 412 may be a 5 nanofarads capacitor (from Mouser). This parallel capacitor circuit (e.g., parallel combination of 408, 410, 412) may be coupled in parallel with inductive component 404, wherein the output of the parallel capacitor circuit (e.g., parallel combination of 408, 410, 412) and inductive component 304 may be provided to cathode 402 of chamber 110.

In this particular implementation, negative reactive circuit 400 may be configured as a band-stop filter. As is known in the art and in signal processing, a band-stop filter (or band-rejection filter) is a filter that passes most frequencies unaltered (i.e., unattenuated), while attenuating those frequencies that are within a defined range. As with any other LC filter, the particular range of frequencies that are attenuated may be defined based upon the value of the capacitors (e.g., capacitors 408, 410, 412) and inductors (e.g., inductive component 404) included within negative reactive circuit 400.

Feedback Circuit Configuration

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown one implementation of signal processing system 106, wherein signal processing system 106 is shown to include feedback circuit 500. Feedback circuit 500 may be configured to couple anode 302 of hydrogen generation chamber 110 to cathode 402 of hydrogen generation chamber 110.

In one implementation, feedback circuit 500 may include capacitive component 502. Capacitive component 502 may be sized based, at least in part, upon one or more physical characteristics of hydrogen generation chamber 110 (e.g., size, shape, electrode type, configuration and dimensions) and/or one or more physical characteristics of feedstock 114 (e.g., feedstock type and contents included therein) contained within hydrogen generation chamber 110.

Capacitive component 502 may include two discrete capacitors (e.g., capacitors 504, 506). In one particular implementation, capacitor 504 may be a 1 microfarad capacitor available from Mouser Electronics and capacitor 506 may be a 1 microfarad capacitor available from Mouser Electronics. A first of the discrete capacitors (e.g., capacitor 504) may be coupled to anode 302 of hydrogen generation chamber 110. A second of the discrete capacitors (e.g., discrete capacitor 506) may be coupled to cathode 402 of hydrogen generation chamber 110.

Feedback circuit 500 may include asymmetrically conductive component 508, wherein asymmetrically conductive component 508 may be positioned between the two discrete capacitors (e.g., capacitors 504, 506). One example of asymmetrically conductive component 508 may include, but is not limited to, a diode (e.g., a light emitting diode), such as a RED/diffused T-1 (3 mm) 696-SSL-LX3044ID available from Mouser Electronics.

Operation of the Signal Processing System

Concerning the reactive circuits (e.g., positive reactive circuit 300 and negative reactive circuit 400), these circuits may incorporate an inductor in parallel with a plurality of capacitors (as discussed above). Upon the initiation of the OCP, these inductors may oppose any rise in current. This opposition may be part of the electronic clamp during the rise time of the OCP. The capacitors in parallel with the inductor may start to charge during the rise time of the OCP and provide a path for electron flow in the direction of the hydrogen generation chamber 110.

These capacitors may not be able to overcome the voltage amplitude of hydrogen generation chamber 110 and, therefore, may not be able to discharge during the OCP time. As these capacitors may be relatively small and may reach full charge status during the rise time of OCP and may remain charged during the duration of the OCP.

The slight opposition to current change (by the inductor) during the OCP rise time may quickly dissipate, wherein the inductor opposes current change based upon magnetically induced resistance to the current flow.

Hydrogen generation chamber 110 may function as a load for signal processing system 106 and have varying internal resistance and varying voltage amplitude. Chamber 110 may behave similarly to an inductive/capacitive electronic component, wherein variations may occur based upon varying electrolytic conditions that can vary dramatically during the rise time of the OCP. The varying conditions may continue during the duty cycle duration and be in the form of a charge ion state triggering charging of hydrogen generation chamber 110. The electron density within hydrogen generation chamber 110 may increase dramatically. The density may be at its greatest at a circumference slightly larger than the outer diameter of cathode 402.

The ON cycle rise time and duration of the duty cycle may cause a molecular polarity shift within the electrolytic fluid (e.g., feedstock 114). This molecular polarity shift may have a corresponding electromagnetic/electrostatic component. Due to the shape and geometry of hydrogen generation chamber 110 and without a defined electron flow pathway, the electromagnetic component will have a chaotic characteristic, wherein this chaotic characteristic may assist in the molecular splitting of gas atoms from the water molecules within the electrolytic fluid (e.g., feedstock 114) due to a constant molecular charge imbalance.

The OFF cycle of signal processing system 106 may start at the beginning of the OFCP. The blocking diodes (e.g., asymmetrically conductive components 208, 210) are in the cutoff state which may isolate signal generation system 102 from signal processing system 106. A pulsed DC input base signal set to one kilohertz may reach the cutoff state one-thousand times per second. During the OFF cycle, the electrolytic fluid (e.g., feedstock 114) in hydrogen generation chamber 110 may change from a charge state to a reset discharge cycle. During this OFF cycle, all electronic interactions may be energized from energy recovered (or harvested) from hydrogen generation chamber 110.

The charge amplitude of hydrogen generation chamber 110 may have a characteristic fast decline from greater than 3.5 VDC to less than 1.4 VDC. The decline curve sweep angle may be dependent on the pulsed DC input frequency and the configuration of the reaction circuits (e.g., positive reaction circuit 300 and negative reaction circuit 400).

During the cutoff initiation, the first decline sequence to occur is the collapse of the electron density column surrounding cathode 402. This high density electron column may be held in place by the induced magnetic field that is a result of the OCP. This collapse may cause an electronic flashback (or rapid energy release) from hydrogen generation chamber 110 to the reactive circuit (e.g., positive reaction circuit 300 and/or negative reaction circuit 400), which is similar to an electrostatic discharge and may provide the electrolytic fluid (e.g., feedstock 114) with a pathway to start a change in state of polarity releasing additional stored energy.

Once the electron column proximate cathode 402 starts to collapse, there is a fast rise in potential on negative reactive circuit 402. At this point, there may be an imbalance with positive reactive circuit 302. The inductor within negative reactive circuit 402 may have a rise in potential imposing an impedance value that may allow the parallel capacitors to discharge in the opposite direction to the charge state during the OCP. This situation may create a latching circuit potential through hydrogen generation chamber 110 as the pathway for electron flow.

The return energy from hydrogen generation chamber 110 may be a DC signal with embedded AC components, wherein these AC components may be relatively small in amplitude. The AC components may be driven by the molecular polarity shift after the cutoff sequence is initiated and the imbalance of the charge state of hydrogen generation chamber 110. The DC component produced by hydrogen generation chamber 110 may be clamped to swing the AC wave into the positive range.

The capacitors in the reactive circuits (e.g., positive reaction circuit 300 and/or negative reaction circuit 400) may stabilize after the electrostatic release from the DC component. The inductors may provide timing sequences and preload for capacitor charge/discharge sequence while minimizing circuit resistance at peak input values. The capacitors may subsequently discharge under the influence of the AC components. The result may be an amplification of the embedded frequency waves providing a charge/discharge cycle at these given frequencies. This sequence may continue until the molecular polarity rotation of hydrogen generation chamber 110 is stabilized or the charge imbalance of the reactive circuit (e.g., positive reaction circuit 300 and/or negative reaction circuit 400) is diminished.

Feedback circuit 500 may be configured in reverse polarity to signal generation system 102 and signal processing system 106. Feedback circuit 500 may function as a secondary load to the reset reaction of hydrogen generation chamber 110. The capacitors (e.g., capacitors 504, 506) of feedback circuit 500 may collect electrons during the electrostatic discharge cycle, which may then be discharged through the light emitting diode (i.e., asymmetrically conductive component 508).

Feedback circuit 500 may assist in minimizing the electrostatic discharge impact on other portions of the reactive circuit (e.g., positive reaction circuit 300 and/or negative reaction circuit 400), which may result in the regulation of the timing of ON, OFF and Cutoff sequences. The light emitting diode (i.e., asymmetrically conductive component 508) may minimize electrostatic interference, thus assisting in maintaining peak charge amplitudes during the reset sequence of hydrogen generation chamber 110.

Specifically, the electrostatic charge may find a secondary pathway through the light emitting diode (i.e., asymmetrically conductive component 508). The light emitting diode (e.g., asymmetrically conductive component 508) may have a characteristic that allows static electricity to pass through while minimizing resistive load characteristics. This pathway may help regulate the discharge timing sequence while dissipating the accumulated charge on the capacitors (e.g., capacitors 504, 506). The switching or blocking characteristics of the light emitting diode (i.e., asymmetrically conductive component 508) may also minimize current loss during the OCP.

Due to the reverse polarity of feedback circuit 500, a portion of the recovered energy may be applied to the riding frequency during the cut off discharge sequence to assist in increasing the frequency amplitude. Further, the secondary electrostatic charge release may assist in the percentage of the desired gas output of hydrogen 112. The electrostatic charge energy may only be recoverable during a given time interval, wherein if the time interval is too long, the electrostatic charge may interfere with the proper sequencing of the OCP and OFCP. Accordingly, the values of capacitors 504, 506 may be adjusted to optimize the timing sequence.

Hydrogen Generation Chamber Configuration

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown one implementation of hydrogen generation chamber 110. Hydrogen generation chamber 110 may include at least one hollow cylindrical anode 302 configured to contain feedstock 114. At least one cathode 402 may be positioned within hollow cylindrical anode 302. Cathode 402 may be positioned along a longitudinal centerline (i.e., longitudinal centerline 600) of hollow cylindrical anode 302. Accordingly, hydrogen generation chamber 110 may be configured as a coaxial hydrogen generation chamber, as cathode 402 and hollow cylindrical anode 302 share a common centerline (namely longitudinal centerline 600).

Cathode 402 may be constructed, at least in part, of tungsten. For example, cathode 402 may be a tungsten rod. Hollow cylindrical anode 302 may be constructed, at least in part, of graphite. For example, hollow cylindrical anode 302 may be machined from a block of graphite.

Hollow cylindrical anode 302 has an outer surface 602 and an inner surface 604. For example and in preferred embodiments, hollow cylindrical anode 302 may have an inside diameter (i.e., inside diameter 606) of 25.0 mm, 12.5 mm, or 6.25 mm and cathode 402 positioned within hollow cylindrical anode 302 may have outside diameters (e.g., outside diameter 608) ranging from 5 mm to 1 mm.

Cathode 402 positioned within hollow cylindrical anode 302 may have a longitudinal length 610 of 50.0 millimeters then it may have an inside diameter 606 of 25.0 millimeters. In a smaller embodiment, where the hollow cylindrical anode 302 has a longitudinal length 610 of 25.0 millimeters it may have an inside diameter 606 of 12.5 mm. In a yet smaller embodiment, where the hollow cylindrical anode 302 has a longitudinal length 610 of 12.5 millimeters it may have an inside diameter 606 of 6.25 mm. This approximate ratio of 2:1 length-diameter is an approximate heuristic that has guided the design of various embodiments to date.

Still in reference to FIG. 6, Hydrogen generation chamber 110 may include feedstock recirculation system 612. For example and in this particular illustrative embodiment, feedstock 114 may be drawn through first conduit 614 and gas contractor 616 and into fuel reservoir 618. Fuel reservoir 618 may serve as a preconditioning zone to maintain feedstock and catalyst concentrations at desired levels. Feedstock 114 may be pulled through circulation pump 620 and then through heat exchanger 622 (to e.g., maintain a desired temperature for feedstock 114) and returned to hydrogen generation chamber 110 via conduit 624.

Gas collection system 626 may be coupled to hydrogen generation chamber 110 and may be configured to collect hydrogen 112 generated by hydrogen generation chamber 110 from feedstock 114. In this particular illustrative example, hydrogen 112 may be drawn through conduit 628 by vacuum pump 630, which then may pass through cold trap 632 and flow meter 634 and into e.g., storage container 636.

In certain implementations, hydrogen generation chamber 110 may include a plurality of discrete chambers. Accordingly, hollow cylindrical anode 600 may include a plurality of hollow cylindrical anodes 606 configured to contain feedstock 114 and cathode 602 may include plurality of cathodes 608 that may be positioned within plurality of hollow cylindrical anodes 606. Specifically, hydrogen generation chamber 110 may be configured so as to include multiple anode/cathode pairs, thus increasing the production of hydrogen 112. Alternatively, the hollow cylindrical anode 600 may be a ring configuration in which one or more anodes may be positioned (see e.g. FIGS. 12-15). In such an embodiment there would be no discrete chamber surrounding each cathode, but the cathodes would be arrayed within the cavity and surrounded by one or more ring-shaped anodes.

Controllable Reactive Circuit Configuration

Referring now to FIG. 7, another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a hydrogen generation system 100′ with a controllable reactive circuit 700′. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the reactive circuit 700′ includes inductive and capacitive values that may be selectively varied. When the inductive and capacitive values are selectively varied, this causes the load reactance on the hydrogen generation system 100′ to vary. Varying the load reactance is advantageously used to adjust performance of the hydrogen generation system 100′.

The hydrogen generation system 100′ includes a pulsed drive signal generator 200′ to generate a pulsed drive signal 202′, and a hydrogen generation chamber 110′ to receive the pulsed drive signal and generate hydrogen 112′ from a feedstock material 114′ contained therein based on the pulsed drive signal 202′.

The controllable reactive circuit 700′ is coupled between the pulsed drive signal generator 200′ and the hydrogen generation chamber 110′. A hydrogen detection device 800′ is coupled to the hydrogen generation chamber 110′ to detect the generated hydrogen 112′. A controller 900′ is coupled between the hydrogen detection device 800′ and the controllable reactive circuit 700′ to control the controllable reactive circuit 700′ based on detection of the generated hydrogen 112′.

Hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generation chamber 110′ may be detected in terms of purity and production rate, for example. The hydrogen detection device 800′ may be a mass spectrometer 820′ to determine the purity of the generated hydrogen 112′. A Mass Spectrometer (“MS”) used herein is a MKS Cirrus 2 Residual Gas Analyzer (MKS Instruments Inc., Andover, Mass.). The MS monitored Hydrogen, Oxygen, CO, CO₂, N₂, H₂O, Ar etc. and can specifically monitor in real time hydrogen versus oxygen production. Alternatively or in addition, the hydrogen detection device 800′ may be a hydrogen flow meter 634′ to determine the production rate of the generated hydrogen 112′.

Purity and production rate of the generated hydrogen as determined by the hydrogen detection device 800′ may be used to measure performance of the hydrogen generation chamber 110′. The controllable reactive circuit 700′ is advantageously used to adjust performance of the hydrogen generation system 100′ by presenting a varying load reactance to damped sine waves 720′ (see FIG. 8) generated within the hydrogen generation chamber 110′. As the name implies, a damped sine wave 720′ is a sinusoidal function whose amplitude approaches zero as time increases.

The damped sine waves 720′ generated within the hydrogen generation chamber 110′ are based on interactions between the pulsed drive signal 202′ and the feedstock material 114′. The damped sine waves 720′ are received by the controllable reactive circuit 700′ as well as by the controller 900′. By the controller 900′ selectively varying the load reactance within the controllable reactive circuit 700′ subsequently formed damped sine waves 720′ are re-energized which in turn can be used to improve performance of the hydrogen generation system 100′. Re-energized waves or signals in the general sense refer to electrical characteristic values, such as voltage, current, frequency, and/or waveform shapes being altered so as to have an enhanced affect within the hydrogen generation system 100′.

With the addition of the controllable reactive circuit 700′ performance of the hydrogen generation system 100′ is improved over that of a typical electrolytic cell. As an example, the purity of the generated hydrogen 112′ may increase from a 0.7 range to a mid/upper 0.9 range when a varying load reactance is selectively presented to the damped sine waves 720′ generated within the hydrogen generation chamber 110′. Similarly, the production rate of the generated hydrogen 112′ increases significantly from a 0.7-0.8 Coefficient of Performance (COP) to greater than four times the COP (>400%).

The COP measurement used herein is defined as follows: a ratio of power consumption of the circuitry (measured in electrical watts) to the hydrogen gas production (measured in thermal watts). The power analysis is based on using a low heating value for hydrogen (i.e., 120 MJ/kg) to assess its energy content. Support for this value may be found in http://www.h2data.de, for example. Power analysis results are calculated using the following relationship: thermal watts (W_(t)) of hydrogen produced divided by electrical watts (W_(e)) consumed.

Since the controllable reactive circuit 700′ is used to tune or adjust the damped sine waves 720′ generated within the hydrogen generation chamber 110′ to improve performance of the hydrogen generation system 100′, the hydrogen generation chamber 110′ may be considered to function as an antenna. In this case, the cathode 402′ may be characterized as an emitter and the anode 302′ may be characterized as a reflector. For discussion purposes, the cathode 402′ may also be referred to as a first terminal and the anode 302′ may also be referred to as a second terminal.

The hydrogen generation system 100′ may further include a passive receive antenna 850′ adjacent the hydrogen generation chamber 110′ that is configured to receive transmissions from the chamber. The transmissions are in response to the hydrogen generation chamber 110′ receiving the pulse drive signal 202′. The received transmissions are provided to the controller 900′ for analysis so as to confirm that the hydrogen generation system 100′ is operating correctly.

The pulsed drive signal 202′ generated by the pulsed drive signal generator 200′ is a pulsed DC drive signal. As an example, the pulsed DC drive signal entering the hydrogen generation chamber 110′ may be set to one kilohertz and may have a peak voltage of 24 VDC with a 2% duty cycle. However, the voltage within the hydrogen generation chamber 110′ is maintained at a lower level as discussed above, such as 3.4 VDC, for example.

The damped sine waves 720′ occur between the DC pulses 204′, as illustrated in FIG. 8. More particularly, the damped sine waves 720′ occur as a negative latch between the DC pulses 204′. Each damped sine wave 720′ includes a DC signal 722′ with a plurality of low-level embedded interactive chamber signals 724′. The low-level embedded interactive chamber signals 724′ are only shown within section 730′ of the DC signal 722′ so as to simplify the illustration. Certain ones of these low-level embedded interactive chamber signals 724′ may correlate with chemical reactions that occur within the hydrogen generation chamber 110′.

Interactions between the pulsed DC drive signal 202′ and the feedstock material 114′ may be attributed to an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) occurring within the hydrogen generation chamber 110′. As readily understood by those skilled in the art, an EMP is a short burst of electromagnetic energy, and orientation of a pulse may occur as an electromagnetic field, for example. The EMP may be partially absorbed by the chamber materials including the anode-reflector (in one embodiment graphite), and may be partially reflected so that interfering patterns of EMP constructive and destructive nodes are created within the chamber. The interaction of the chamber and the EMP is reflected in the damped sine waves 720′ detected from the chamber 110′ between the DC pulses 204′.

An underlying theory of one embodiment of the present disclosure is that the generated electromagnetic field has an influence on the electrons within the hydrogen generation chamber 110′. This influence leads to the damped sine waves 720′ having the embedded interactive chamber signals 724′ which are low-level and chaotic in nature but may be correlated with the chemical reactions that occur within the hydrogen generation chamber 110′. The chemical reactions that are of interest are those that have an impact on the purity or production rate of the hydrogen 112′ generated within the hydrogen generation chamber 110′.

In addition to the controllable reactive circuit 700′ receiving the damped sine waves 720′, the controller 900′ also receives the damped sine waves 720′. The controller 900′ includes an interactive chamber signal analyzer 920′ to analyze the embedded interactive chamber signals 724′ carried by the damped sine waves 720′. In one embodiment, an oscilloscope may be one such signal analyzer.

An example interactive chamber signal 724′ may be found around 1420 MHz. Another example interactive chamber signal 724′ may be found around 24.5 MHz. Yet another interactive chamber signal 724′ may be found around 33.3 MHz. These example frequencies are not to be limiting.

The controller 900′ may include a reactive load adjustment algorithm 940′ that compares or correlates the output from the hydrogen detection device 800′ to characteristics of one or more of the embedded interactive chamber signals 724′ as determined by the interactive chamber signal analyzer 920′. Waveform shapes of the embedded interactive chamber signal 724′ being analyzed is one of the characteristics used by the reactive load adjustment algorithm 940′ when determining how to vary the reactive load within the controllable reactive circuit 700′. The reactive load adjustment algorithm 940′ may be configured as a lookup table when determining the reactive load by comparing the analyzed waveform characteristics with the purity or production rate of the generated hydrogen 112′.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a waveform shape of the 1420 MHz embedded interactive chamber signal 724(1)′ will be discussed as an example. When the waveform shape of the 1420 MHz embedded interactive chamber signal 724(1)′ being analyzed by the interactive chamber signal analyzer 920′ has a stair-stepped shape, as indicated by reference 732′, then the purity or flow rate of the generated hydrogen 112′ has begun to decrease, then the load reactance of the controllable reactive circuit 700′ is adjusted so that the waveform shape of subsequent 1420 MHz embedded interactive chamber signals 724(1)′ has a more rounded or non-stair-stepped shape, as indicated by the more rounded stair 732″.

Adjustment of the reactive load in the controllable reactive circuit 700′ is made in terms of re-energizing generation of subsequent damped sine waves 720′. The above noted embedded interactive chamber signals 724′ may be considered as event characteristics, and when these event characteristics are triggered by changing the load reactance of the controllable reactive load circuit 700′, then the purity and/or production rate of the hydrogen 112′ generated by the hydrogen generation chamber 110′ may be adjusted.

More particularly, controllable reactive circuit 700′ is used to adjust the timing of subsequent embedded interactive chamber signals 724′. Adjusting the timing increases the slope or slant range of a sinusoidal stair-stepped waveform shape of subsequent embedded interactive chamber signals 724′. By varying the load reactance, the electronic speed is decreased to slow electron speed to form a retarded stair-stepped waveform shape 732″. As the electron speed is decreased, the frequency of the embedded interactive chamber signals 724′ being analyzed may be adjusted. This in turn provides more energy within the hydrogen generation chamber 110′ which results in an improvement of the hydrogen generation system 100′.

Referring now to FIG. 10, Controllable Reactive Circuit 700′ includes the positive reactive circuit 300′, the negative reactive circuit 400′, and the feedback circuit 500′.

In one implementation, the controllable reactive circuit 700′ includes a first variable load reactance circuit 760′ between the positive reactive circuit 400′ and the feedback circuit 500′ and a second variable load reactance circuit 780′ between the negative reactive circuit 400′ and the feedback circuit 500′.

The first variable load reactance circuit 760′ includes a variable inductive component 762′ and a variable capacitive component 764′ coupled to the variable inductive component 762′. Similarly, the second variable load reactance circuit 780′ includes a variable inductive component 782′ and a variable capacitive component 784′ coupled to the variable inductive component 782′. The variable capacitive components 764′, 784′ are cross-coupled to one another between the first and second variable load reactance circuits 760′, 780′.

Controller 900′ can adjust the variable inductive and capacitive components 762′, 764′ in variable load reactance circuit 760′ via signal path 942(1)′ and adjust the variable inductive and capacitive components 782′, 784′ in variable load reactance circuit 780′ via signal path 942(2)′.

The damped sine waves 720′ as received by the controllable reactive circuit 700′ are also received by the controller 900′ via signal paths 921(1)′, 921(2)′. By the controller 900′ selectively varying the load reactance within the controllable reactive circuit 700′ via the signal paths 942(1)′, 942(2)′ subsequently formed damped sine waves 720′ are re-energized which in turn can be used to improve performance of the hydrogen generation system 100′.

Referring now to the flowchart 1000 in FIG. 11, another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method for operating the above-described hydrogen generation system 100′. From the start (Block 1002), the method includes providing a pulsed drive signal 202′ to a hydrogen generation chamber 110′ at Block 1004. Hydrogen 112′ is generated from a feedstock material 114′ contained within the hydrogen generation chamber 110′ based on the pulsed drive signal 202′ at Block 1006. Hydrogen 112′ generated by the hydrogen generation chamber 110′ is detected at Block 1008. The method further includes controlling a load reactance of a controllable reactive circuit 700′ coupled to the hydrogen generation chamber 110′ based on detection of the generated hydrogen 112′ at Block 1010. The method ends at Block 1012.

Ring Reflector Embodiment

FIG. 12 is an assembled, elevational computer-generated view of a 5-emitter ring reflector embodiment of the various hydrogen production-related inventions described herein. While the “emitter” is similar to and has the same electrical function as the cathode from prior embodiments, the emitter also has dual electrode-antenna functions. While the “reflector” is similar to and has the same electrical function as the anode from prior embodiments, but the reflector also has dual radio-frequency absorptive-reflective characteristics. In addition, the reflector functions as an anode under certain conditions. The reflector and emitter designations are used to highlight the radio frequency behaviors of the components. The exterior materials used to build a hydrogen production unit, if in contact with aqueous solution, are preferably made of Polyvinyl Chloride (“PVC”) and unless otherwise called out, PVC is the preferred material due to its ability to withstand the highly oxidizing environment of the cavity.

The HPU embodiments of FIGS. 12-17 may be energized by any of the electronic circuit embodiments described herein.

With attention directed to FIGS. 12-15 inclusive, several views of a 5-emitter ring reflector embodiment of the present invention are shown. Hydrogen production unit (“HPU”) 1100 comprises three circular PVC plates 1105, 1110 and 1115. Clamp plate 1105 is a top circular plate having the least thickness of the three, and when made from PVC, a preferred thickness of ¼ (0.25) inch. It sits atop the HPU and functions as a ring reflector location element, and to provide a surface for bolts to press against thereby clamping the other two plates (i.e. 1110 and 1115) together. Top plate 1110 is one of two main structural plates that function to hold ring reflector 1120 (FIG. 14) in place, and to define the top portion of the electrochemical cavity formed by the top plate 1110, bottom plate 1115, and ring reflector 1120. Bottom plate 1115 is similar in dimensions and design to top plate 1110 except that it does not necessarily contain holes for the ring reflectors. Both plates are of a similar thickness, and have a preferred thickness, when using PVC, of ¾ (0.75) inch. The plates may be fixed in space relative to one another by means of longitudinal fasteners such as nuts 1103 and bolts 1102 or other well-known fastening components. In this embodiment, bolts 1102, preferably made of stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant material, and corresponding nuts 1103, are employed to rigidly constrain the three plates so that the electrochemical cavity formed by ring reflector 1120, plates 1110 and 1115 are water-tight. Nuts and bolts may also be made from other corrosion-resistant materials such as a polymer (NYLON®) or another metal (Titanium, Tungsten, etc.). To that end, bolt gasket 1106 (FIGS. 13 and 14) is located between clamp plate 1105 and top plate 1110 and serves to evenly distribute the pressure created when torqueing bolts 1102 for a water-tight fit. A pair of o-rings 1122, 1124 (FIGS. 13-15) situated in grooves (not shown) in the top plate 1110 and in the bottom plate 1115 function to seal in a water-tight manner ring reflector 1120 in the electrochemical cavity.

Multiple emitters 1130 (five in this embodiment) project into the cavity in parallel and are in electrical communication with the excitation circuit and are connected to the negative side of the excitation circuit at the negative reactive circuit connection. The multiple emitters function as an antenna array to emit radio-frequency energy into the surrounding aqueous solution contained within the cavity. Emitters 1130 may be comprised of any metal capable of transmitting, but a preferred metal is Tungsten. The diameter of the emitters is not critical, but a preferred diameter in this embodiment may range from 1 mm to 0.5 mm. In one embodiment, the emitters are 50 mm length, but only a portion of that length is in contact with the aqueous solution. In one embodiment, approximately 25 mm is exposed and thus transmits into the water. In other embodiments, the lengths of emitters may range from 5 mm to 50 mm.

The emitters extend the length of the electrochemical cavity from top to bottom. The emitters are located at a first end in the clamp plate 1105 by means of holes in the plate. The holes are designed to accommodate an o-ring or other means for sealing an emitter in the clamp plate so that fluid does not escape between the emitter and the plate. The placement of the is largely circumferential at points spaced equally apart. At the opposite (second) end, the emitters may be held in place by an emitter holding plate 1134 (FIG. 15) so that the emitters are held parallel to each other and the walls of the electrochemical cavity. The holding plate may be a floating flat circular ring having holes for accommodating the emitter ends and locking them into a pattern substantially identical to that established at the opposite end of the clamp plate. The emitter holding plate material should not interfere with the EMF patterns in the electrochemical cavity. A preferred material is non-metallic. The emitters are electrically connected to the excitation circuit at the Negative Reactive Circuit.

Ring reflector wire 1136 is in electrical and physical contact with ring reflector 1120. In a preferred embodiment, wire 1136 fits into a circumferential groove (not shown) in the ring reflector and encircles the ring. In a preferred embodiment, the wire is not directly wetted by aqueous solution. The wire is connected to the positive side of the power supply. Preferred materials are silver or platinum, although similar highly conductive/corrosion resistant metals will also work.

In an embodiment, aqueous solution is circulated though the HPU and associated fluidic components. The circulation system and gas separation components are described above. HPU 1100 has an inlet fitting 1140 which is a standard pipe thread ¼ (0.25) inch ID fitting onto which elastomeric tubing may be hand-fitted. Inlet fitting 1140 screws into a mating threaded inlet conduit (not shown) in bottom plate 1115 that connects to the inside of electrochemical cavity. Outlet conduit (not shown) may be located directly above the inlet conduit in top plate 1110 and have a similar outlet fitting 1150.

In an embodiment, ring reflector 1120 may have an internal diameter of 39 mm and external diameter of 45 mm. It may be 6.25, 12.5, 25 or 50 mm in height, although dimensions vary depending upon numerous factors including but not limited to the desired cavity volume, number of emitters and their relative and absolute placement and density, the desired flow rate of solution through the cavity, the electrical characteristics such as excitation frequency, voltage, current and on time.

Data in support of the ring reflector embodiment includes the gas production data shown in the table below. The data show production of both average Total Gas (mainly Hydrogen, Oxygen and other trace gases) and average Hydrogen separately in milliliters/minute. Gas was collected and measured manually in an inverted funnel by water displacement. A total of five runs, each of approximately two hour duration, were carried out, and the data was averaged. The percentage of Hydrogen varied during the two hours' duration from the high 80 percents to the low- to mid-80s at completion.

The electrical excitation system provided pulsed DC power to drive the reaction via the excitation circuits described above. The power supply was a BK Precision Model 9130 set at 12 VDC, current limited to 0.742 A. The DC pulse was applied via a pulse width modulator (Rigol DG-1022) at a 1.2% duty cycle. The frequency was fixed at 12.6 KHz.

The table below contains summary data and settings for each of two sets of runs that compared average total gas and average Hydrogen production under essentially identical conditions, with the exception that the data columns headed “Micro 5-Chamber” and “Micro 5 Ring” differ in that the 5-chamber has 5 distinct cylindrical chambers drilled longitudinally through the graphite disk versus the single hollow ring design shown in FIGS. 12-15. The ring design has the same 5-emitter configuration as the 5-chamber, but there are no discrete chambers surrounding each emitter as in the 5-chamber design. The ring design presents a much more efficient HPU with a potentially much lower cost of production since the materials required are minimized, the need for designing and maintaining the separate chambers is avoided, along with all of the fluidic complications involved with channeling 5 separate streams of fluid through the chambers.

Micro 5-Chamber Micro 5 Ring Comparative Test Results Avg. Total Gas 112.4 mls 97 mls Avg. Total H₂ 83.3 mls 82.3 mls Avg. Faradaic Eff. 126% 129% Avg. COP 119% 133% Settings Fuel DI Water, 32 g/L DI Water, 32 g/L Stimulation 12.6 kHz 12.6 kHz Frequency Duty Cycle 1.19%  1.20%  Volts (PS) 12    12    Amps 0.742 0.742 Pulse Width 948 nS 952 nS Circuit No. E64-00025-00049 E64-00025-00049

Faradaic Efficiency is the efficiency in which electrons are used to create a product in an electrochemical reaction. For the purposes of this disclosure, the Faradaic Efficiency is calculated as the ratio of the theoretical current (I_(Faradaic)) required to produce n mols of hydrogen to the actual current (I_(Actual)) required to produce n mols of hydrogen. That is, Faradaic Efficiency=I_(Faradaic)/I_(Actual).

Using Faraday's Law for Electrolysis (I=nFz/t), the theoretical current (I_(Faradaic)) required to produce the amount of H2 gas collected is calculated from the following: The number of moles of H2 (n) is calculated from the volume of H2 produced using the molar volume of an ideal gas at lab conditions (P (mbar) and T (K)). Faraday's constant (F) equals 96,500 C/mol. The number of electrons (z) is equal to 2 (2 electrons to make a H2 molecule). Time (t) is 1 minute or 60 s.

I_(Faradaic)=((Total amount of H2 produced in ml−H2/min)*(mols of electrons=2 mols electrons)*(96500 coulombs/mol electrons))/(conversion from ml to L)*(ideal molar volume at lab conditions=24.2 L−H2/mol−H2)*(conversion from minutes to seconds=60). I_(Faradaic) can be expressed as the following:

$I_{Faradaic} = {\begin{matrix} {{mL}\mspace{14mu} H_{2}} & L & {1\mspace{14mu} {mol}\mspace{14mu} H_{2}} & {96\text{,}500\mspace{14mu} C} & {2\mspace{14mu} {mol}\mspace{14mu} e^{-}} & {1\mspace{14mu} \min} \\ \min & {1000\mspace{14mu} {mL}} & {24.2\mspace{14mu} L\mspace{14mu} H_{2}} & {1\mspace{14mu} {mol}\mspace{14mu} e^{-}} & {1\mspace{14mu} {mol}\mspace{14mu} H_{2}} & {60\mspace{14mu} s} \end{matrix} = {\frac{C}{s} = A}}$

The Settings include other parameters such as the fuel composition which was in this case 18 MΩ deionized water, with 32 g/L Reagent Grade NaCl (Sodium Chloride) added. The Stimulation Frequency is the frequency that the DC signal is varied as it leaves the power supply. The voltage is set at the power supply and was set to 12 volts. Excitation chamber voltage is substantially lower during a run as the chamber seems to charge to a set point voltage during operation. The amperage was set at the Power Supply at 742 mA. Pulse Width varied slightly from 948 nanoseconds to 952 nanoseconds.

It can be seen that the primary operational criteria, Average Total Hydrogen, is similar for both the ring reflector embodiment, and the 5-chamber embodiment. This is a surprising result since the inventors assumed that the one-emitter-per-chamber embodiment was necessary for its operation. More surprising is the fact that the Average Faradaic Efficiency and the COP were actually better in the ring reflector embodiment.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications that come within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto. All patents and references cited herein are explicitly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

General

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. 

We claim:
 1. A hydrogen generation system comprising: a signal generation system configured to generate a driver signal, wherein the driver signal is a pulsed DC signal; a signal processing system configured to process the driver signal and generate a chamber excitation signal; and a hydrogen generation chamber configured to receive the chamber excitation signal and generate hydrogen from a feedstock contained within the hydrogen generation chamber, wherein the hydrogen generation chamber comprises: at least one ring reflector configured to contain the feedstock, and at least one emitter positioned within the at least one ring reflector; wherein the signal processing system comprises: a controllable reactive circuit comprising a positive reactive circuit coupled to the ring reflector of the hydrogen generation chamber, a negative reactive circuit coupled to the emitter of the hydrogen generation chamber, and a feedback circuit that is configured to couple the emitter of the hydrogen generation chamber to the ring reflector of the hydrogen generation chamber.
 2. The hydrogen generation system of claim 1 wherein the signal generation system comprises: a pulsed DC source configured to generate a pulsed DC source signal, a mono-directional blocking circuit configured to receive the pulsed DC source signal and generate the driver signal, and a filter circuit configured to filter the driver signal and remove AC components.
 3. The hydrogen generation system of claim 1 wherein the positive reactive circuit comprises an inductive component and a capacitive component.
 4. The hydrogen generation system of claim 3 wherein the inductive component is in parallel with the capacitive component.
 5. The hydrogen generation system of claim 1 wherein the negative reactive circuit comprises an inductive component and a capacitive component.
 6. The hydrogen generation system of claim 5 wherein the inductive component is in parallel with the capacitive component.
 7. The hydrogen generation system of claim 1 wherein the feedback circuit comprises a capacitive component.
 8. The hydrogen generation system of claim 7 wherein the capacitive component comprises two discrete capacitors.
 9. The hydrogen generation system of claim 8 wherein a first of the discrete capacitors is coupled to the ring reflector of the hydrogen generation chamber.
 10. The hydrogen generation system of claim 8 wherein a second of the discrete capacitors is coupled to the emitter of the hydrogen generation chamber.
 11. The hydrogen generation system of claim 1 wherein the feedback circuit comprises an asymmetrically conductive component.
 12. The hydrogen generation system of claim 11 wherein the asymmetrically conductive component is positioned between the two discrete capacitors.
 13. The hydrogen generation system of claim 1 wherein the at least one ring reflector comprises graphite.
 14. The hydrogen generation system of claim 1 wherein the at least one ring reflector surrounds a plurality of emitters.
 15. The hydrogen generation system of claim 1 wherein the at least one ring reflector is coupled to the positive reactive circuit.
 16. The hydrogen generation system of claim 1 wherein the positive reactive circuit is configured as a band-stop filter.
 17. The hydrogen generation system of claim 1 wherein the negative reactive circuit is configured as a band-stop filter. 